The Legend of Aegeus – The Mistake of a Son and the Death of a King

Forty-three miles south of Athens, Greece, one can find the magnificent cliffs of Cape Sounion. This is a beautiful site with breathtaking sunset views over the Aegean Sea.  Today’s beautiful scenery at Sounion draws many visitors who wish to marvel in the beauty of the landscape. However, Sounion is a location that offers more than just spectacular views. This site is an important location in Greek mythology.

The cape is surrounded by the Aegean Sea, which, according to Greek mythology, was named after Aegeus after he jumped to his tragic death due to a mistaken belief that his son had died. Additionally, Sounion is an archeological site, containing the ruins of an ancient temple of Poseidon. To an uninformed traveler, the beauty of Sounion may lie solely in the amazing sights where the cape meets the sea – but the myths and legends surrounding this area add even more wonder and beauty to the landscape as one imagines the ancient events that are said to have unfolded nearby.